The Rugby Championship kicks off for 2017 this weekend, starting with old foes New Zealand and Australia facing off in a match that doubles as the first of the three-match Bledisloe Cup series. So where will the two matches be played, what time do they kick off, and who will feature?

Pearce will cop any punishment from NRL

Mitchell Pearce will cop any punishment handed to him by the NRL and the Sydney Roosters after “humiliating himself and a lot of other people” with his lewd Australia Day video.

Pearce told the media he was returning to Sydney with "a clear head" after spending the past month in a rehabilitation facility in Thailand following the release of a drunken video that led him to seek treatment.

“I’ve got a lot of people to earn respect off so whatever my punishment is I’ll be copping that on the chin,” Pearce said.

“I love footy and it’s something I’ve missed a lot being around my mates and being around footy but I’ve deserved the punishment, I totally humiliated myself and a lot of other people so I’m not hiding from anything.”

The Roosters and NRL are yet to decide on sanctions Pearce may face amid reports he won't be allowed to return until round six and be hit with a fine of up to $50,000.